Could you help save lives this Sickle Cell Awareness Month?

Sickle cell is a genetic condition that changes red blood cells, causing them to become stiff and curved shaped. This impacts the flow of blood cells and the oxygen they carry, leading to pain and discomfort. 

Almost 300 babies are born in the UK with sickle cell each year and while anyone can be born with sickle cell, it mainly impacts people from African and Caribbean backgrounds.  

To increase the number of normal blood cells, many people living with sickle cell need to have their blood replaced every six weeks. Over 200 donations are needed every day to support people with the disease, and new figures have revealed that demand for blood to treat sickle cell patients has gone up by more than 50 percent since 2016. 

Georgelene Elliott, CEO of Black Blood Matters, said: “We urgently need more Black blood donors to meet the demand for well-matched blood to treat patients living with sickle cell. Giving blood is exceptionally quick and easy, plus every donation can save three lives.  

“Black blood donors are more likely to have the same blood types which are more common among patients with African and Caribbean heritage. It’s therefore important that the blood donor pool is as diverse as the patients who may require blood to ensure that the most compatible blood is available for everyone that needs it.” 

If you would like to donate blood or find out your blood type, you can attend one of the NHS Blood and Transplant events or head to a local donation centre. You must check you can give blood before booking an appointment. 

If you would like to donate blood or find out your blood type, you can go online check eligibility, register and book an appointment at blood.co.uk.